Wine grapes

• March 2010

  Now if you really want to do Napa, it'd be hard to imagine a better way than ... is author of Weather and Wine Grapes in the Napa Valley AVA and Soils and Wine Grapes in the Napa Valley AVA, and will provide signed copies of these reports. We'll compare an old head-trained... Read moreNow if you really want to do Napa, it'd be hard to imagine a better way than ... is author of Weather and Wine Grapes in the Napa Valley AVA and Soils and Wine Grapes in the Napa Valley AVA, and will provide signed copies of these reports. We'll compare an old head-trained Zinfandel vineyard and a modern closely spaced Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard, considering what the early Napa vintners knew and what we have learned, and re-learned, since then. The tour is not available during harvest and crush since the winemakers will be busy. For full details and other important terms and conditions, please see the official auction site. The tour is being auctioned online only through the BIDDINGFORGOOD.COM site, and the auction closes March 26. The link is: http://theyoungschool.cmarket.co    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Going to Napa by dmcker

  
  

• March 2010

  That Talullah is pretty good stuff.  And there is more.  But Zu - I'm not sure I agree that shiraz is a superior grape.  When done well, it's one of my favorite grapes, but there's more enjoyable, drinkable, grenache in the world. I'm usually confident that if I pick... Read moreThat Talullah is pretty good stuff.  And there is more.  But Zu - I'm not sure I agree that shiraz is a superior grape.  When done well, it's one of my favorite grapes, but there's more enjoyable, drinkable, grenache in the world. I'm usually confident that if I pick up an unknown wine from south France or Spain and it's grenache, it's going to be enjoyable at least, if not great.  In some cases however, it truly is great.  It tends to overcrop and produce grapes with high sugar content, but that's more about vineyard management than anything else.  I tried an excellent grenache from Wind Gap wines the other day - maybe one of the best I've had from CA.  Those wines of course are made by Pax Mahle, who is no longer part of the company that bears his name.  But the new wines are very different and much more restrained than his earlier wines.  From Australia, don't overlook Clarendon, which may be the pre-eminent producer of grenache.  If you can find it, try something from Cirillo, which may have the oldest vines around. And try these wines with a few years on them. But also look for Magpie's The Fakir, which I had a few nights ago at 8 years old and which was developing wonderfully, or Craneford, which also seems to age well,  or Piramimma, or even Yalumba Bush Vine.  And surprisingly, Yangarra Old Vine seems to do well with some time.  That's owned by KJ but he's left them alone and of the entire lineup, I think it's the best.  It can be a little reductive initially, but once it opens, it's a great example of ageable wine for short term and it's also inexpensive. More importantly, don't overlook Spain.  I had the Finca Dofi the other day.  It's as complex and profound as any syrah I've tasted. Victor de la Serna's wine that Dmucker mentioned is a good example of syrah in Spain.  There isn't all that much when compared to other grapes, but there's no reason it can't do well there.  I never found the Sandoval to be a fruit bomb however.     (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Shiraz by GregT

  
  

• March 2010

  That's pretty tough.  And I'm sure you know that any wine will not be anything close to the wine you know from Montepulciano.  Those vines handle drought and dry summers whereas your area is far more humid, among other things.  Doesnt' mean you can't grow grapes, just... Read moreThat's pretty tough.  And I'm sure you know that any wine will not be anything close to the wine you know from Montepulciano.  Those vines handle drought and dry summers whereas your area is far more humid, among other things.  Doesnt' mean you can't grow grapes, just that the environment is so different that you might bet a better approximation of the wine with an entirely different variety. Also,  I think it's going to be extremely difficult to find that particular grape, since I'm not aware of anyone growing it in the US.  That means you may have to get some in Italy and if you do that, you have to put them thru a quarantine period before customs will let you plant them. You might want to talk to growers in places like VA to see what kinds of grapes they're growing. Still, it's a nice idea and who knows, you might make something really special.  Good luck and let us know how it turns out. Here are a few places that sell grapes.  Bay Laurel Nursery 2500 El Camino Real Atascadero, CA 93422 Tel: 466-6455 Fax: 805-466-6455 URL: http://www.baylaurelnursery.com email: info@baylaurelnursery.com Lon J. Rombough P.O. Box 365 Aurora,OR 97002-0365 Tel: 503-678-1410 Wine and table grape cuttings Sonoma Grapevines 1919 Dennis Ln Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Tel: 707-542-5510 Fax: 707-542-4801 Varietal/table/raisin grapes    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Learning to Love it... by GregT

  
  

• March 2010

  This is my first post at Snooth. My father and I are experimenting with growing wine grapes on the west coast of Norway, at roughly the 62th latitude - equivalent to Iceland, the southern tip of Greenland, Mid-Alaska, mid-Siberia and the Kamchatka peninsula. We planted a variety of... Read moreThis is my first post at Snooth. My father and I are experimenting with growing wine grapes on the west coast of Norway, at roughly the 62th latitude - equivalent to Iceland, the southern tip of Greenland, Mid-Alaska, mid-Siberia and the Kamchatka peninsula. We planted a variety of cold hardy varieties last spring, and had quite good yield of sweet grapes this fall on some varieties. The photo in my profile is of the "Rondo" grapes. These were fully ripe when harvested in September last year. It will be interesting to see how the vines have stood up to this year's winter, which has been unusually cold and snowy with temperatures reaching down to -16 on the west coast, which is quite unusual. Hopefully the snow will have insulated the lower stem and root systems.If all goes well, we would like to try out some vitis vinifera varieties next year. Perhaps riesling or even Cab and pinot. From our experience they will probably survive the winters here, but the big question is: will they be able to ripen before the frost sets in around October/ November...?We have a south-sloping field, starting right from the fjord, with a lot of sun exposure. Sunlight in summers can be a good 20 hours on clear days, perhaps compensating to some degree for the lack of intensity in light and heat?Meanwhile, I am enjoying my trusted zinfandel here in Oslo - a burst of summer in all the snow.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic First post - vine growing in... by foo2

  
  

• March 2010

  If you are sensitive to sulfites you might well have a headache.  It has been many years since I've had this wine, but I will try to give you a short summary of what I know. It is cheap because it is (a) Chilean, (b) produced on a massive scale by Vina San Pedro SA and (c)... Read moreIf you are sensitive to sulfites you might well have a headache.  It has been many years since I've had this wine, but I will try to give you a short summary of what I know. It is cheap because it is (a) Chilean, (b) produced on a massive scale by Vina San Pedro SA and (c) grapes are sourced from the Molina Vinyard which also produces a premium wine : Molina 1865. This winery produces great everyday juice that appeals to almost any palate and has been producing quality for price for at least 35 years.  I hope this short explanation works - and don't feel strange about liking the tasty, approachable style made by VSP; many, many people agree with you. Cheers!     (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Gato Negro Chardonnay by zufrieden

  
  

• March 2010

  Cigarman, you'll note I also got the first picture right. What chateau are the vineyards in your second picture from? My photos are of Sonoma, but not in the Russian River area. The landscape in my photos is more hilly, while most of the RR appelation vineyards are more flat... Read moreCigarman, you'll note I also got the first picture right. What chateau are the vineyards in your second picture from? My photos are of Sonoma, but not in the Russian River area. The landscape in my photos is more hilly, while most of the RR appelation vineyards are more flat alongside the river of the same name. Definitiely not Gallo, which doesn't really have much of a presence in Sonoma (they're originally from California's Central Valley, a much different area inland to the east and a little south, with a lot more heat, though they're so big now they source grapes from all over the place). You really don't need to think about Gallo when you're thinking fine wines, though they do have a brand or two that is trying to be premium. Anyway, I think a case can be made that the vineyards I show and a few more in close proximity provide grapes for the best, or at least some of the best, pinot noir made in the USA. You can see the landscape is rather different than Burgundy. I won't give the answer for a day or two, in case anyone else wants to guess...    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Where is the most beautiful... by dmcker

  
  

• March 2010

  Queen - actually grenache used to be the popular grape in Australia, partly because it produced well and partly because it had lots of sugar and could make port-like wines and brandies, etc.  Then in the latter part of the 1900s, they ripped up a lot of it, thinking that shiraz... Read moreQueen - actually grenache used to be the popular grape in Australia, partly because it produced well and partly because it had lots of sugar and could make port-like wines and brandies, etc.  Then in the latter part of the 1900s, they ripped up a lot of it, thinking that shiraz would be more profitable.  And they sure sold a lot of shiraz.  Success begat success so the number of shiraz bottlings kept increasing as long as people were buying. The result is that you see mostly shiraz in your wine shops when you look for Australian wine.  But they do grow a lot of other things and increasingly, you will find those.  They've been making good cabernet sauvignon for many many years and they make really good white wines that are very inexpensive and good.  In addition, they're planting a number of red grapes that didn't originate in France - grenache of course, is from Spain, but they're putting in other Spanish grapes and Portugese grapes and there's some decent zinfandel too.  So keep looking.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Shiraz by GregT

  
  

• March 2010

  Well, actually no... but I do think the junior Dr. L. label is about as "simple" as this magnificent producer gets.  Using sourced grapes instead of those from his own properties, the good Herr Professor Doktor still manages to produce an inexpensive wine consistently rated as... Read moreWell, actually no... but I do think the junior Dr. L. label is about as "simple" as this magnificent producer gets.  Using sourced grapes instead of those from his own properties, the good Herr Professor Doktor still manages to produce an inexpensive wine consistently rated as hitting well above its station.  Of course, the Wehlen, Uerzig and other vineyard offerings by Loosen are much more complex - a bit closer to the true nectar of the (Nordic) gods.   But no need for those everyday - unless your are a true sybarite (as opposed to a part-time hedonist).  :-)      (hide)

  Forum post in the topic "Just for fun" Wines by zufrieden

  
  

• March 2010

  I can't believe I am wasting my time on another online forum but..untruths are ... and conventiionly grown wine grapes, I can tell you that philosphy and voodoo preparations have little to do with the quality of the wine. As someone who has also delivered high scoring and basic... Read moreI can't believe I am wasting my time on another online forum but..untruths are ... and conventiionly grown wine grapes, I can tell you that philosphy and voodoo preparations have little to do with the quality of the wine. As someone who has also delivered high scoring and basic plonk, site, canopy management and the winemaker not screwing up are the first three in importance. Then you've got water manamgement, barrel choice and the assemblage. This is assumeing you have the minimal skills needed to insure the basic diseases are prevented. Of couse we could grow grape in those areas where there are not diseases which would very quickly take care of the world wide glut of wine. 3. I too have see the "heat" effect of Si, we fried the s--t out of a chard block once. Our consultant commented on how "great" the wine was. he obviously had a house palate for powdery mildew funk cause it was undrinkable to those who enjoy wine. I would bet the 501 is acting as a anti nulceating bactericide in the frost scenario. The other question I could never get answerd was, which direction do you start, clockwise or counter. And don't forget the moment of "chaos" when you switch directions;. 4. Randall is a passionate wine dude but he is a salesman too. He also nixed a winery location once because feng shui was wrong. The ensueing owner has done quite well on the market. 5. Steiner also started the Waldorf Schools. They only allow the kids the to have crayons in the 3 primary colors. How fair is that. Gotta go, the chickens soon ris    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Biodynamic wines, is there... by TatesDude

  
  

• March 2010

  Can't do much better than dmucker. Caroprese33 - mourvedre did not originate in France.  It's from Spain, which still has more than the entire rest of the world.  But it became known in the US thru French wine. mitzak - regarding what to spend, the others have said it... Read moreCan't do much better than dmucker. Caroprese33 - mourvedre did not originate in France.  It's from Spain, which still has more than the entire rest of the world.  But it became known in the US thru French wine. mitzak - regarding what to spend, the others have said it better than I - spend what feels right. Some people actually pay a little more so their jeans have one name instead of another.  Makes no sense to me but there you are.  Wine can be different because there really are differences - where the cloth for the jeans comes from the same cotton mill, the grapes usually don't come from the same place. Whether their differences merit the cost differnece is up to you. As far as who to listen to, you'll find out for yourself.  The different journals have different people with varying degrees of knowledge and the different areas may get better or worse coverage, depending on the reviewer.  The WL forum is OK I guess but it seems to be filled with people who don't have much knowledge past a year or two.  That's OK but limits their usefulness.  Just take your time and taste and most of all, record the names of the wines you like and the wines you hate, and see if you can discern any patterns. Good luck.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic I'm new! by GregT

  
  

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